I’m a somewhat novice lumberjock, but am interested in learning. I have responsibility over a set of vintage (50s/60s) powertools that have been sitting idle in a backyard shop for about 20 years. They’ve been kept dry, though in hot temperatures, and I’ve noticed dry rot in some plastic and rubber in the shop.

I’d like to get them back in running shape, and hope to get advice from you guys on whether it’s workable, and how! There are some small hand tools (old cast aluminum sanders, drills, etc.) as well as a table saw, RAS, a Shopsmith drillpress/lathe, stand-up planer, stand-up grinder, a jigsaw and a bandsaw.

Patient #1 Craftsman dual-motion sander (model 315.22401)I’ll start the ball rolling with this ‘orbital’ sander that was running fine – for about 2 hours, before I heard a small ‘click’, then saw a small retaining ring shoot out of the side, while hearing a rattling noise. I immediately shut the tool down, and there it sits. The small retainer ring is shown in the image.

Not the same model by similar. I honestly don’t know if I would invest much in that as the drive belt is no longer available. I’d focus on the stationary tools. But you could always just start pulling it apart and see what’s what.

Hey dhazelton, thanks for the link. I actually had found this same diagram for my model. Unfortunately no manual. Haven’t been able to make much sense of it without parts names, and a more readable image.

Of course, I’m the type who likes to pull things apart to see what’s what ;).